Chrysanthemum plant named Tanaga

ABSTRACT

A Chrysanthemum plant named Tanaga particularly characterized by its flat capitulum form; quilled daisy capitulum type; bronze ray floret color; diameter across face of capitulum of up to 7 cm at maturity; medium plant height with spreading and prolific branching pattern; average natural season flower date of September 1 in Salinas, Calif. and September 28 in Hightstown, N.J.; uniform seven week photoperiodic flowering response to short days in photoperiodic controlled flowering programs; and durable, uniform performance in outside fall flowerings and in spring small pot flowering programs.

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar ofChrysanthemum, botanically known as Dendranthema grandiflora, andreferred to by the cultivar name Tanaga.

Tanaga, identified as 85-047001, was originated from a cross made by theinventor, Cornelis P. VandenBerg, in a controlled breeding program inSalinas, Calif., in 1985.

The female parent and the male parent of Tanaga were both unnamedseedlings, identified as 79-M56002 and 82-M29001 respectively.

Tanaga was discovered and selected as one flowering plant within theprogeny of the stated cross by Cornelis P. VandenBerg in January 1986,in a controlled environment in Salinas, Calif.

The first act of asexual reproduction of Tanaga was accomplished whenvegetative cuttings were taken from the initial selection in April 1986in a controlled environment in Salinas, Calif., by technicians workingunder formulations established and supervised by Cornelis P. VandenBerg.

Horticultural examination of controlled flowerings of successiveplantings has shown that the unique combination of characteristics asherein disclosed for Tanaga are firmly fixed and are retained throughsuccessive generations of asexual reproduction.

Tanaga has not been observed under all possible environmentalconditions. The phenotype may vary significantly with variations inenvironment such as temperature, light intensity and daylength.

The following observations, measurements and comparisons describe plantsgrown in a controlled open area in Salinas, Calif. and in Hightstown,N.J. Rooted cuttings were established in soil and maintained outdoorsunder the natural temperature and daylength prevailing during Julythrough September. Single pinching was practiced with all branches andbuds retained.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe basic characteristics of Tanaga, which, in combination, distinguishthis Chrysanthemum as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. Flat capitulum form.

2. Quilled daisy capitulum type.

3. Bronze ray floret color.

4. Diameter across face of capitulum up to 7 cm at maturity.

5. Medium plant height.

6. Spreading and prolific branching pattern.

7. Average natural season flower date of September 1 in Salinas, Calif.,and September 28 in Hightstown, N.J.

8. Uniform seven week photoperiodic flowering response to short days inphotoperiodic controlled flowering programs.

9. Durable, uniform performance in outside fall flowerings and in springsmall pot flowering programs.

The accompanying photographic drawings show typical inflorescence andleaf characteristics of Tanaga, with the colors being as nearly true aspossible with illustrations of this type. Sheet 1 is a color photographof Tanaga grown as a pinched spray pot mum. Sheet 2 is a black and whitephotograph of three views of the inflorescence of Tanaga. Sheet 3 is ablack and white photograph showing the upper and under sides of theleaves of Tanaga at three stages of development (mature, intermediateand immature).

The combination of capitulum type and ray floret color is notrepresented in any commercial garden mum cultivar known to the inventor.Capitulum type most similar in comparison to Tanaga is Illusion,disclosed in the inventor's plant patent application, Ser. No. 099,741.Reference is made to attached Chart A, which compares certaincharacteristics of Tanaga to the same characteristics of Illusion.

Similar traits are branching pattern and controlled response. Tanaga isbronze, with a quilled capitulum type, while Illusion is white, with aslight spoon-tipped ray floret. Tanaga has a smaller diameter ofcapitulum, a taller plant height and a slightly later natural seasonflower date than Illusion.

In the following description color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart. The exact floret color of Tanaga isnot represented in The R.H.S. Colour Chart, and the color values givenare those closest to the actual color of Tanaga. The color values weredetermined May 20, 1988 on plant material grown in a controlledgreenhouse environment in Salinas, Calif.

CLASSIFICATION

Botanical: Dendranthema grandiflora. cv. Tanaga.

Commercial: Quilled daisy spray pot mum and garden mum.

INFLORESCENCE

A. Capitulum:

Form.--Flat.

Type.--Quilled daisy.

Diameter across face.--Up to 7 cm at maturity.

B. Corolla of ray florets:

Color (general tonality from a distance of three meters).--Bronze.

Color (upper surface).--Base color 11A, tinged with 178D.

Color (under surface).--Base color 11A, more tinged and streaked with178D than upper surface. Tinging with 178D is most pronounced in maturebuds just prior to opening.

Shape.--Tubular, straight.

C. Corolla of disc florets:

Color (mature).--14A to 14B.

Color (immature).--Closest to 154A to 154B.

D. Reproductive organs:

Androecium.--Present on disc florets only; moderate pollen.

Gynoecium.--Present on both ray and disc florets.

PLANT

A. General appearance:

Height.--Medium.

Branching pattern.--Spreading and prolific.

B. Foliage:

Color (upper surface).--137A.

Color (under surface).--137B.

Shape.--Small, lobed.

                  CHART A                                                         ______________________________________                                        COMPARISON OF TANAGA AND ILLUSION                                             Cultivar         Tanaga      Illusion                                         ______________________________________                                        Ray Floret Color Bronze      White                                            Capitulum Form and Type                                                                        Quilled     Spooned                                                           Daisy       Daisy                                            Branching Pattern                                                                              Spreading   Spreading                                                         and Prolific                                                                              and Prolific                                     Diameter Across Face                                                                           Up to 7 cm  Up to 8.5 cm                                     of Capitulum                                                                  Plant Height     Medium      Short                                            Controlled Response                                                                            7 Weeks     7 Weeks                                          Average Natural Season                                                        Flowerdate:                                                                   In Salinas, CA   September 1 August 29                                        In Hightstown, NJ                                                                              September 28                                                                              September 25                                     ______________________________________                                        COMPARISONS MADE OF PLANTS GROWN UNDER                                        NATURAL SEASON OUTDOOR CONDITIONS                                             IN SALINAS, CALIFORNIA AND IN                                                 HIGHTSTOWN, NEW JERSEY                                                        ______________________________________                                    

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct Chrysanthemum plant named Tanaga, asdescribed and illustrated.